| 41 nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Robbie Sherriff Calf rearing for consistency in South Waikato Kim Newth Calf rearing has become easier to manage and monitor for South Waikato farmers Robbie and Shannan Sherriff and their team at familyowned Huirimu Farms, Arohena, since a state of the art calf rearing shed was installed a few years ago. At the start of August, early spring calving was already well underway. Robbie is a second generation farmer whose parents, Alistair and Judy, first began farming near Mangakino some 50 years ago, before moving to Arohena in the early 2000s. The family farm business is a mixed sheep, beef and dairy operation. Their investments in assets like the calf rearing shed and herd homes are bearing fruit for stock, people and the environment. Set up for automated feeding, calves enter the farm’s purpose-built Redpath shed at birth and stay through until weaning. After several days on colostrum, calves are trained onto DeLaval feeding stations. There are five stations in total, with capacity for 120 calves per station. This is the third spring calving in the shed for Robbie and team, with the shed also used for autumn calving. “We did 150 calves in autumn and we hope to raise at least 550 this spring,” says Robbie. “The number one benefit we’re seeing from using this shed is consistency. It is much easier to spot a sick calf struggling to feed, for example. We can pick that up much earlier than we would have in the past, so you respond much faster too.” Robbie and Dairy Operations Manager Grace Van Groenedaal are satisfied they are now well on the way to getting the best out of the calves. “We’ve been working with PGG technical expert Laura Pattie on tweaking the feed plan so we can get the highest growth rate as possible over the shortest period of time. By day seven, our calves are drinking up to eight litres a day. Our goal is to optimise growth over the first 49 days before starting to wean down. It’s far easier to put weight on calves in the shed than once they’re weaned and on grass.” The end result is healthier calves that are bigger and stronger. Rounding out the calving team are two junior staff members, who monitor the young animals and keep the shed clean. Robbie and Dairy Operations Manager Grace Van Groenedaal are satisfied they are now well on the way to getting the best out of the calves. “We all rip in at the start but once the calves are 10 days old, there’s good flexibility for us so you don’t necessarily have to be there straightaway in the morning.” Working closely with CRV, Robbie and Grace have targeted Friesian crossbred animals to achieve the right herd genetics on temperament, udders, healthy hooves and longevity. The calving shed itself is also positively influencing temperament. “We’ve got the first line of heifers coming through now that have been in the shed and they’re fantastic, easy to draught and handle. They walk through the cowshed no trouble on their first go because they’re used to walking on concrete. We feel it has improved their overall temperament and they’re bigger animals too.” While managing the workload that comes with split calving in autumn and spring is challenging, Robbie says it does make winter easier and generates huge efficiencies. Meanwhile, Robbie is targeting higher production this season with a goal of 550,000kgMS in sight for the 900-cow herd. Farm Maintenance, House & Shed Sites, Roading, Land Development, Effluent Ponds, Farm Forestry Lots Wayne 027 348 3626 Matty 027 867 4503 Office 027 537 7344 152 Marotiri Rd, RD1, Mangakino Proudly supporting Huirimu Farms Limited
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